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Establishing a Foundational Framework for Development of Reflective Thinking: Learning Journals in the MDE. Lisa M. Blaschke and Jane E. Brindley Oldenburg University (Germany) EDEN Research Workshop, Budapest October 24-27, 2010. What is Reflection?.
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Establishing a Foundational Framework for Development of Reflective Thinking: Learning Journals in the MDE Lisa M. Blaschke and Jane E. Brindley Oldenburg University (Germany) EDEN Research Workshop, Budapest October 24-27, 2010
What is Reflection? • Critically thinking about how andwhat we learn (metacognition) • Making meaning by making connections • Constructing ideas, theory, and knowledge • Becoming an independent learner
Why is Reflection Important? • For learning • For life • In distance education • In the Masters in Distance Education and E-learning (MDE)
Taking a Reflective Approach:The Case Study • Praxis: Reflective thinking about practice • Question: Is the learning journal effective in developing reflective thinking? Are we meeting learning outcome goals in the MDE? • Case Study: A qualitative, investigative method to deepen understanding (reflective thinking about practice)
Case Study Method • Deepen understanding of a general principle by investigating, describing, and reflecting on a specific case • Examine/understand from different perspectives: • Literature review (others) • Instructor theory and practice (ours) • Student survey (learners)
Does Reflection Lead to Change? • Think of an instance when reflective thinking changed your behaviour in some way – in your teaching or professional practice or in the way that you do something • What was the realization (aha moment) that led to the realization and what did you change?
Encouraging Reflection in the Classroom • Make reflective practice an explicit learning objective • Provide guidance and scaffolding • Model desired behaviour • Encourage questioning/challenging • Incorporate reflection activities • Provide ongoing, continuous feedback • Assess performance
Learning Journals and Reflection:Student Examples • Reflecting on the learning experience • Documenting thoughts and feelings • Recognizing change! • Demonstrating consolidation/deepening of learning • Constructing new, user-generated knowledge • Making connections
GuidingQuestionsforStudents • How has your definition/understanding of DE evolved since you first posted it)? What changes would you make to your original definition as a result of Module 1 readings and discussions? • What has contributed to the change in your understanding of DE (i.e., specific discussions/readings/interactions)? • How would you convey to your co-workers what you learned in this module? How might you apply what you’ve learned in this module to a “real life” DE environment? • What was your most important “aha!” experience in this module? • Review the objectives for this module. Do you feel that module goals and objectives have been met? How and in what way?
The Learner Perspective:Effects of Journaling • Understanding their learning process (metacognition) • Thinking about how they think (metacognition) • Reflecting on reading/class discussions • Understanding course material • Feeling more connected to course content (v. instructors/peers)
Moving Forward • Implications for practice • Future research
Your Questions and Reflections? Thank You! Lisa Marie Blaschke <lblaschke@faculty.umuc.edu> Jane E. Brindley <jbrind@uwindsor.ca>